Elisa in the Middle (Chapters, Puffin) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Lillian Hoban (Illustrator) "Late last spring Mrs. Michaels announced to her children, Russell and Elisa, that they were going to have a new baby in their family..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?This latest book featuring Elisa and Russell Michaels will be welcomed by friends of these contemporary, middle-class, New York City kids. The big news this time is the addition of a new baby to the family. Elisa really comes into her own as she tries hard to be a good sister to both of her brothers. Unfortunately, five-year-old girls don't always make the best choices. Fortunately, her misadventures lead to humor and to a good time for young readers. Each of the six chapters tells a complete story; this makes the book episodic, but also gives young readers a feeling of satisfaction when they finish each one. The writing is consistently lively and natural, with occasional challenging words thrown in appropriately. Hoban's charming pencil drawings appear throughout. The titles in this series can be read individually, but youngsters will enjoy watching the characters grow and mature from book to book. The mistakes Elisa makes are totally in character, and readers will gleefully keep a step ahead of her and predict the results. Hurwitz is successful at describing the sacrifices siblings make for one another, and the love and pride they share.?Darcy Schild, Schwegler Elementary School, Lawrence,
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 2^-4. Elisa, the younger sister of Hurwitz's popular character, Russell, is in the middle now that she has a baby brother. This beginning chapter book chronicles her Ramona-like adventures. In one chapter, when Russell needs to catch up with his schoolwork, Elisa pours ketchup on his papers in a misguided effort to help. She also cleans the fish tank with bubble bath, killing the fish. But she does some things right, like letting the baby borrow her most important possession, her rag doll. Pleasant and amusing, this should delight kids who want to visit more with Russell's family. To be illustrated with drawings by Lillian Hoban. Ilene Cooper --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140387838
• ISBN-13: 978-0140387834
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #767,498 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but..., January 9, 2007

A Kid's Review

This is an excellent book. In this book, Elisa is back on the scene. This time, with a new addition to the family-her little brother, Marshall. Elisa loses her glasses, with the help of her neighbor's, parent's, and even Russell, she creates a search party. but it's little Marshall who helps Elisa actually find them. Are all left handed people important, or is it people with eyeglasses? Neither. It's people like Elisa and Russell that write books about their mistakes. Did you ever try to help your brother and end up hurting him? Well ding ding ding ding ding. we have a winner. It's Elisa Michaels. She tries to help Russell catch up on his math. What can a little mis-heard word do? A lot of damage. So can bubble baths. But Elisa is a good sister to Marshall, and that's what matters, right? She tries to help Russell, she really does. But all she can do is another problem after another. But, wait! She actually HELPED Russell win a contest! Yes, it's true. Elisa is a great sister, anyone would be jealous of her if you had her as your sister. No is NOT an acceptable answer. In the end, Russell and Elisa become proud of each other, in the most fine ways. Read this book, you will not regret it. The only part I didn't like was the around the end. One page Elisa was in kindergarten-just starting it-, and the next page she's suddenly nearing the end of it. I hate that she was just doing unmentioned things in this book. Besides that, this book is great and I HIGHLY recomend it.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny !!, November 30, 2001

By	Cheh Carmen (Cheh Carmen,Malaysia) - See all my reviews

When I read the first chapter of the book,I screamed with laughter.Russell had to catch up with his math and Elisa wanted to help so she took a ketchup bottle and really ketchup his math.Ha! Ha! Ha! What a funny book! The second chapter was funny too.Well,I can't blame Elisa for all that.However,she is only five years old.Oh,here's another joke.Elisa thinks that we must say that instead of one year old,we should say one year young.Maybe she thought that if we called a baby one year old,that means we think that the baby is OLD! And if we called a baby one year young,that means the baby is young.This is a really comical book.It is one of my favourite comical books.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CUTE!!!!!!;), December 27, 1998

By A Customer

this is a cute book ! eliza is very thougtful. i have read almost ALL of her books ,and this is the best so far!